Leading the updated bar is Jon Holcombe, who has worked in the bars of Penca, Owls Club, Scott & Co., Tough Luck Club, OBON Sushi Bar Ramen, and more.

With such a strong background in some of Tucson’s top craft cocktail bars, the Royal Room’s new program hit the floor running with a balanced menu of original and classic cocktails with painstakingly laborious house-made components.

Neighboring tattoo artist Jake Lehmann illustrated the hip cocktail menu. The original house cocktails are all $10. Classic cocktails from the menu are $8 and $2 off during happy hour, which is 4 – 7 p.m. daily.

While the whole menu is solid, there were two favorites.

Mi Rey balances smoky mezcal with the tartness of rhubarb and lemon, the sweetness of strawberry, and the light bitterness of the aperitivo.

A spin on the piña colada, the Coup D’État steps it up with nutty brown buttered rum and cinnamon coconut cream. The crispy dehydrated pineapple chip is a pleasant snack.

Head bartender Jon Holcombe at the Royal Room (Credit: Jackie Tran)

If you just want cheap booze, the $3 Alley Cat Special includes a domestic beer with a shot of whiskey. For a little somethin’ somethin’, add CBD to any drink for $3.